The Search For The Next Great Metal Band Is On

Indie record stores across the country are teaming with Metal Blade Records, www.recordstoreday.com, RED, and Decibel magazine (see list of prize sponsors below) to host The Search For The Next Great Metal Band.

The search, announced at the Noise In The Basement Creative Conference in Baltimore, will officially commence on October 1st 2008 and will continue through April 18, 2009 (Record Store Day 2009), with in-store performances from regional champions and a promotional compilation CD. As well, Metal Blade artists Unearth will host a listening party and pre-release signing for their upcoming album The March at The Sound Garden in Baltimore as part of The Search For The Next Great Metal Band event.

The winning band will be chosen by Brian Slagel, founder of Metal Blade Records.

Here’s how it will work:

Bands who lean heavy and can take it to the people, live, are encouraged to submit 3 of their best songs, a bio, a press photo, and all of their digits and links to participating independent record store outlets starting on the contest commencement date (10/1), who will in turn, submit the bands to the certain brutal scrutiny of our judges. (Find full details on submission requirements at participating stores)

The winning band will benefit from the national exposure with both the public and the metal community, and will receive a prize pack (complete value and make-up of prize pack still being determined).